JP2012504978A - Medical products - Google Patents

Abstract

The product e.g. napkin (12) has a carrier layer (14) including surface forming sides, where one of the surface forming sides forms an outer side (16) of the product. A code (22) is permanently applied on the side that forms the outer side. The code is formed as a two-dimensional matrix code e.g. quick-response-code, which indicates a standardized source indicator of an Internet side that incorporates application-specific and/or technical data to the product. The application-specific data is formed as content report of promotional package inserts, product insert or utilization instruction.

Description

  The present invention comprises a support layer, one of the surfaces forming both surfaces of the support layer forming the outside of the medical product, and the coding or code is continuously described on the surface forming the outside. Related to medical products.

  Medical products in this case include in particular diapers, incontinence bands, patient mats, as well as wound dressings, compression gauze and plasters and bandages and bandages, in particular compression bandages and fixed bandages. In addition, medical products are interpreted as patient covers or instruments during surgery and surgeon garments such as surgical gowns, surgical gloves and surgical caps. Finally, medical products also include pharmaceutical products. All these products are removed at the time of use from packages which can contain technical information or information for the user in the form of instructions or summarized in the package itself, such as diapers or wound dressings or plasters, and It is common for surgical gowns to be worn or taken by the body, as appropriate, or used in the operating room without at least specific contact with the instruction manual or packaging. The same applies mainly to pharmaceuticals that are often removed from overpacks, especially tablets that are removed from packaging in the form of so-called blister strips and are carried or stored without further contact with the packaging and instructions. Is also valid. To improve the storage of this instruction manual, it is often first removed from the overpack and then no longer provided for other examinations.

  In addition, this type of medical product is often problematic in that technical information or information for the user cannot be described for reasons of size or space and for other reasons presuming the use of this product. .

  Nevertheless, it is important and necessary to obtain information on application instructions or side effects, especially at later time points, especially during or after use.

  Furthermore, it is desirable or obligatory to provide a unique identification of medical products by different aspects, for example by the sales company, by the pharmaceutical licensing authority or by the user. Thus, it is preferable that reliable confirmation of the product is possible even when there is no packaged enclosure and other accompanying information. This cannot always be guaranteed by the shape, size and appearance of the product.

  For this reason, it is already known in the prior art to describe product information in the form of product codes, for example in the form of sequences, on products, for example diapers, in which case the same applies from EP 1292258 B1. It is known. In this case, however, this information cannot be extracted directly from the coding for the user, and only a simple description can be made in this kind of coding. In particular, information contained in the instruction manual can be obtained at a later point in time or a request to provide further information cannot be accommodated.

  The coding of medical products is already known from EP 0 828 523 B1, which describes a code for continuous identification on the transdermal therapeutic system, where the coding on the back layer is on the back layer. It is disclosed that it is described by a locally different surface condition, surface thickness or surface roughness.

  In addition, from WO 03/098543 A1, a separate identification and an unencrypted identification are prepared, and this encrypted identification is not encrypted when decrypted using the public key. It is known in advance to provide identification methods that prevent counterfeiting of products that are considered to be consistent with identification. This identity is in this case generated in the private part of the key, so if both identities match after decryption of the encrypted part, the part encrypted by the private part of the key is It is guaranteed that it has been generated, and thus the original manufacturer has generated the encrypted part, and that this is the original product.

European Patent No. 1292258 European Patent No. 0828523 International Publication No. 03/098543

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical product that allows a user to obtain a wide range of information about a medical product in a simple manner, even if there is no longer any accompanying information, for example an instruction manual. That is. At the same time, in this case, it is preferable to ensure that the information provided is limited to the respective product.

  In the present invention, the above-described problem is solved by that one of the surfaces forming both surfaces of the support layer forms the outside of the medical product, and the coding or code is continuously described on the surface forming the outside. This coding is a two-dimensional matrix code, which indicates the Uniform Resource Locator (URL = Uniform Resource Locator) of the Internet site, which is specific to the application for this medical product. Solve by a medical product with a support layer containing data and / or technical data. Basically, a large number of codes are known today, commonly referred to as bar codes, which are electro-optically readable typefaces, which consist of different lines or elements and gaps. . The terms “code” and “coding” are used interchangeably in this case. This code can be read and processed using an optical reader such as a barcode reader (scanner) or CCD camera, as well as a mobile phone and PDA. This code can be recorded by conventional printing methods such as offset printing, flexographic printing or gravure printing, as well as laser printing, thermal printing, thermal transfer printing or ink jet printing. In this case, the bar code in which the code is recorded only in the axial direction is recognized as a one-dimensional code. In addition, a two-dimensional code is used, in which case the code is recorded biaxially. These codes can consist of stacked one-dimensional codes arranged in the row direction, or can be in the form of native planar codes. Finally, there are also so-called 3D codes, in which the hue, saturation or brightness, for example, is the third dimension. In this case, all two-dimensional codes encode information perpendicular to the main direction.

  In this case, an original plane code or matrix code, or an original matrix code different from a stack type code can be used. In the case of a matrix code, this data is evenly encoded in a matrix of blocks. In the case of the original matrix code, the orientation does not actually play a role, so reading is possible in all directions. This has the advantage that in particular in the case of medical products, such as wound dressings or plasters, this reading is simplified by the user and there is no need to provide an orientation indication of the product allowing the reading. This omni-directional readability has the advantage that the pre-set orientation is not intrinsic to the product in all products.

  In this case, it is particularly advantageous that the two-dimensional matrix code is a QR code. QR codes can be very small and have almost unlimited durability. The data in the QR code is duplicated. Depending on its form, this data can still be decoded even if up to 30% of the code is destroyed.

  Advantageously, when using QR codes, many mobile phones or PDAs (personal digital assistants) that already have built-in cameras today provide software that can read the QR codes is doing. Such software can be obtained for many other devices. In the case of the present invention, the Internet address or the web address is coded by this code. Nowadays most mobile phones or PDAs have a web browser in addition to the camera, so this code can be read, for example with a mobile phone, and automatically guided to the corresponding encoded internet site by software . You can then retrieve certain important information about this product directly from this Internet site, first avoiding searching the manufacturer's homepage or possibly searching on the Internet to get the manufacturer's data first can do.

  In addition, other information can be included in this coding. This other information is then included in the second two-dimensional matrix code. For example, a first two-dimensional matrix code can be used to display a unified resource locator (URL) for an Internet site that includes data specific to application for medical products and / or technical data, And, using the second two-dimensional matrix code, a telephone number directly connected to the consultation center for this medical product can be described. For specific reasons, you can't connect to the coded internet site you are coding, or you don't feel comfortable reading data on a mobile phone display, for example, or talk directly to someone who gives you advice This phone number can then be processed directly on the mobile phone or PDA, if desired, for example connecting to a hotline or similar location to obtain other information, for example information on the side effects of the product Is also possible. According to a further advancement of the idea of the invention, therefore, a medical product is also a subject of the invention, which medical product has at least two two-dimensional matrix codes, in particular two QR codes, A matrix code of 1 represents a uniform resource locator for an Internet site that contains application specific data and / or technical data for this medical product, and a second matrix code is for this medical product. Represents the telephone number that connects directly to the consulting office.

  In place of the QR code, a so-called data matrix code (Data-Matrix-Code), maxi code (Maxi-Code), Aztec code or dot code / point code can also be used as coding.

  In this case, the QR code is accessible to almost all users because the software for decoding this code is widespread today and can be obtained especially free of charge. Provides benefits.

  In this case, the quick response code (Quick-Response-Code) or QR code is a cell, and three position detection patterns that can be easily recognized at three corners as a bright cell and a dark cell in a nested manner. And can have symbol elements configured as cells. The invention has 21 × 21 to 75 × 75 cells, in particular 21 × 21 to 53 × 53 cells, in particular 21 × 21 to 45 × 45 cells.

This cord can occupy an area of at least 0.5 cm ² and at most 20 cm ² . This allows it to be attached to almost any relevant medical product without compromising usability and appearance, and is found and recognized well by users and users uniformly. In particular, this ^code, 1cm ^{2 ~15cm 2,} may be the size of ^{1cm 2 ~9cm} 2 is particularly advantageous.

  In this case, it may be planned to use one of the error correction levels that allows the restoration of 7% to 30% damaged code. That is, even if up to 7% of the code or even 30% of the code cannot be read, the code information can be taken out.

  Information specific to this application and / or technical information is also expected to be a content reproduction of precautions in accordance with the packaging, instruction manual or medical product guidelines for this medical product. It is particularly advantageous. In this way, the information contained in this information as a whole may vary depending on the case, even after the original medical product has been separated from the packaged enclosure or instruction manual or user precautions. It can be guaranteed that it can be provided even after use of the product. For example, in a plaster that can be applied to the patient's skin for several hours and the patient can confirm the skin reaction after, for example, removing the plaster, a code can be used to prepare the information for this plaster, From the information, it is also possible to extract side effects that may have occurred, as well as, for example, whether the plasters are for sensitive skin types.

  In this case, it is particularly advantageous for the Internet site to post information or data in the language of the country in which the product is sold. Since this information can be further incorporated into the code as other information, the user is directly directed to the Internet site in the corresponding national language.

  In this case, the support layer can be planned to consist of a woven fabric, warp knitted fabric, weft knitted fabric, non-woven fabric, film or a combination thereof. This code can be applied directly to the support layer, in particular printed directly on the support layer, in which case all known printing methods can be used. Alternatively, the cord can also be applied indirectly to the support layer, for example to other layers, for example partially disposed on the support layer. This other layer can be, for example, a label, an adhesive label, etc., which may be permanently attached to the support layer. Alternatively, the support layer can be provided with a coating, and the code can be printed on this coating. In addition to this support layer, other layers may be envisaged, in particular an absorbent layer as well as a layer towards the carrier of the medical product. The number of these layers is not limited to this case.

  It is particularly advantageous that the cord can be envisaged to be covered with a transparent coating, in particular a non-reflective transparent coating. In this way, the cord can be protected during use of the medical product, for example from friction or from liquid ingress. This coating can be provided at least in the area of the cord after application of the cord.

  It is particularly advantageous that the medical product is a sterilized medical product. In this case, the code can be scheduled to have a color indicator whose color changes during the sterilization process, in which case this color has an absorption maximum in the 400-800 nm wavelength region after sterilization. Is particularly advantageous. In this case, the color change will only be made in the case of correctly performed sterilization, so this code can be used as a color indicator for products that are also accurately sterilized at the same time can do. Thus, the code can provide other directly visible information for the user in addition to the information encoded in the code. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if this code has an absorption maximum in the visible region after sterilization, since it can be recognized particularly easily. For example, this code can be expected to be visible to humans for the first time by sterilization in the first place. In this case, the advantage is that no other technical device is required for recognition, and unlike the case of color change in the visible region, the user can reduce the recognition effort. For example, if the code color changes in the visible range, for example from red to green, the user must recognize that red means that it is not sterilized, and that green of course means sterilized. . This can be expressed relatively simply in colors that are relatively unambiguous and defined in other areas of life. However, it becomes difficult in the case of a color change from blue to green. On the other hand, if the color changes so that the code is visualized for the first time, the recognition that this sterilization has been performed effectively becomes even easier.

  The present invention further includes a set comprising at least one medical product of the type described above and a decoding device for decoding the code and for connecting to the Internet and directing to the Internet site.

  In this case, the medical product can be present in particular in the packaging.

  The decoding device can advantageously be a mobile phone or a PDA, which comprises a device for taking pictures, in particular a camera, and decoding software and transmission software for code. In other words, when using a PDA as a mobile phone or a decoding device, the PDA also requires software of this kind, advantageously reading QR code and software capable of connecting to the Internet, especially a web browser.

  Further, the present invention provides a uniform resource locator (URL) for an Internet site that provides information and / or technical data specific to the application of the medical product outside the medical product. ) Encoding of the original matrix code (matrix code), in particular the quick response code (QR code). In this case, it is possible to make a content reproduction of the information specific to the application of the medical product, in particular the contents of the precautions in accordance with the enclosed packaging, the instruction manual or the medical product guidelines.

  This type of code is particularly applicable to medical products according to guideline 93/42 / EWG recommended on June 14, 1993 or updates thereof. This type of cord is especially suitable for diapers, incontinence bands, as well as patient mats, wound dressings, compression gauze, plasters, bandages and bandages, compression bandages and fixed bandages, patient covers or operating room instrument covers, and surgical It can be provided in an intermediate garment such as a surgical gown, a surgical cap or a surgical glove. Irrespective of this, this type of code can also be written in medicines.

  Other advantages and other features of the invention will be apparent from the remaining application documents. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Represents a diaper attached to the subject. Represents two QR codes. Represents a wound dressing. Represents a wound dressing.

  FIG. 1 shows a diaper 12 having a support layer 14 attached to a subject or body 10, where the surface forming the surface of this support layer (represented by 16) is a medical product, i.e. The outer surface of the diaper 12 is formed. In this case, the medical product 12 has other layers, in particular an inner layer towards the subject 10 (this inner layer is not shown), and also a layer arranged between this inner layer and the support layer 14, for example In particular, it has an absorber (this absorber is not shown as well). In this case, the diaper is secured to the subject 10 with two closure elements 18 which are attached to the waist region on the back of the diaper 12 and other fastening elements 20 in the front waist region. Can be fixed to. This is mainly a diaper customary for construction.

  In one area of the fixing element 18, a code 22 is printed on the support layer 14 and its outer surface 16 so that it can be seen from the outside. In this case, the code 22 is a so-called QR code.

  If the customer (subject or third party) wishes to obtain further information on this medical product, especially after removing the diaper 12 from the package, this code 22 is for example a PDA or a mobile phone. In this case, devices of this type, such as mobile phones and PDAs (cell phone is shown in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 24), can be used to decode cameras and QR codes of this type. It is necessary to have software to do.

  Information about the diaper 12, such as information about a layer of material, and questions about which body size or application case this kind of diaper 12 can be used by a user or another person If the mobile phone 24 is used, the code 22 can be read and decrypted by using the mobile phone 24. In this case, the software provided in the mobile phone 24 is the manufacturer in the language of the country where the product is sold. Connect directly to the corresponding Internet site.

FIG. 2 shows in (A) http: // www. hartmann. A first quick response code of size 3x3 cm, i.e. 9 cm < ² >, containing the info information, i.e. a display of the product manufacturer's home page, is shown. This code has in this case 25 × 25 cells of the same size as symbol elements, in which case white and black cells can be counted.

However, it is particularly advantageous for the user to connect directly to the corresponding site corresponding to the product. (B1) shows another corresponding QR code, which is http://productukkatalog.com which directly indicates the corresponding product site. hartmann. info / PHb2c / catalog / Z_set CurrentArea. doZ_realD = 3EC01F992482E056E10000000A808F21
Information. From this product site, a user reading this code can directly retrieve technical information or application specific information about the medical product 12. This code has in this case 45 × 45 cells of the same size as symbol elements, in which case white and black cells can be counted.

  In (B2), the same code shown in (B1) is expressed in a reduced form (3 × 3 cm).

  Thus, even after the product has been used, especially after it has been separated from the instruction manual and other information, especially from its packaging, users and those who want information know the manufacturer of this product. Even without it, it can be achieved that the corresponding information can be obtained at any time.

  In this way, the safety and convenience of the medical product can be further enhanced.

  3a (view from above) and 3b (cross-sectional view AA) show a wound dressing (30) having a QR cord (32) permanently provided on the outside (34) of the support layer (31). ). The QR code is printed directly on the support layer using a thermal transfer printing method. This QR code is an Internet site http://fr.com that represents information and technical data specific to the application in the language of the country in which it was sold. hartmann. info / FR / Accueil / Products / Soins blank des blank plays / article 64088. An html unified resource location specifier (URL) is shown encoded. This code has in this case 41 × 41 cells of the same size as symbol elements. This wound dressing consists of a support layer made of a water vapor permeable polyurethane film, which is completely covered with an adhesive (33) made of a polyacrylate polymer. This QR code is covered with a transparent coating (35) made of polyurethane for protection and for better durability.

Claims (15)

  A support layer (14, 31) is provided, and one of the surfaces forming the surfaces on both sides of the support layer (14, 31) forms the outer surface (16, 34) of the medical product (12), and the outer surface In the medical product (12, 30) in which the code (22, 32) is continuously described on the surface forming (16, 34), the code (22, 32) is a two-dimensional matrix code, A two-dimensional matrix code represents a unified resource locator of an Internet site having data and / or technical data specific to application for the medical product (12, 30), 12, 30).   The medical product according to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional matrix code is a quick response code.   The quick response code has 21 × 21 cells to 75 × 75 cells, in particular 21 × 21 cells to 53 × 53 cells, in particular 21 × 21 cells to 45 × 45 cells, as symbol elements. The medical product according to claim 2. The cord (22, 32) has an area of at least 0.5 cm ² and at most 20 cm ² , in particular at least 1 cm ² and at most 15 cm ² , particularly preferably at least 1 cm ² to at most 9 cm ^2. The medical product according to at least one of claims 1 to 3.   The application-specific information is a content reproduction of precautions in accordance with the packaging contents, instruction manual or medical product guidelines of the medical product (12, 30), Item 5. A medical product according to at least one of Items 1 to 4.   The medical product according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the Internet site represents the information or data in the language of the country in which the medical product (30) was sold.   The medical product according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the support layer (14, 31) is made of woven fabric, warp knitted fabric, weft knitted fabric, non-woven fabric, film or a combination thereof.   The code (22, 32) is provided directly on the support layer (14, 31), in particular printed directly on the support layer (14, 31). The medical product according to at least one of the above.   9. A medical product according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cord (22, 32) is covered with a transparent, in particular non-reflective coating (35).   The medical product (12, 30) comprises a diaper, incontinence band, patient mat, wound dressing, compression gauze, plaster, bandage, bandage, compression bandage, fixed bandage, cover for patient or operating room equipment, Or at least one garment for use during surgery, in particular the medical product (12, 30) is a sterilized medical product. Medical product.   The cord (22, 30) has a color that changes color during the sterilization process, in particular the color has an absorption maximum in the wavelength region between 400 nm and 800 nm after sterilization. 10. The medical product according to at least one of 10.   12. Decoding device (24) for decoding at least one medical product, in particular in packaging, and for decoding said code (22) and for connecting to an Internet site according to at least one of claims 1-11. And set with.   13. The decoding device (24) is a mobile phone, the mobile phone comprising a device for taking images and decoding software and transmission software for the code (22). Set.   Medical products (12, 30), in particular diapers, incontinence bands, patient mats, wound dressings, compression gauze, plaster, bandages, compression bandages, fixed bandages, covers for patients or operating room equipment, or surgery The original matrix that encodes the uniform resource locator of the Internet site that is used for the garment and that provides information and / or technical data specific to the application of the medical product (12, 30) Use of code (22), especially quick response codes.   15. Application specific information according to claim 14, characterized in that the application specific information is a content reproduction of precautions in accordance with the packaging contents, instructions or medical product guidelines of the medical product use.

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